First Day At Work

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CHAPTER 5

~Kaia’s POV~

By the following day, I had nearly forgotten about Shawn’s antics. Since we planned the wedding for Sunday, normal life began shortly after.

Until now, I have not bothered to switch on my phone and have allowed myself some well-deserved rest while my brain has been replaying Shawn's betrayal. 

One might have found this stupid, seeing as I was straining my brain with pain and hurt but the truth was, I needed to remind myself why men were scum.

I switched on my phone as an influx of messages came through but I ignored them, placing my phone on the table. I knew I owed people like my two best friends an explanation but now was not the time. 

I had lost a job and needed a new one ASAP. Six months may be long but it would be over quickly. I needed to secure a prosperous future for myself.

I was still waiting to hear back from the companies I’d applied to when my phone buzzed with an email notification. 

Skimming the message, my eyes widened. It was an offer from one of the top firms I’d applied to—no, not just any firm, it was Apex Global.

I read over the details: Head of Finance, with a salary bump that was almost too appealing to be true. I hadn’t even expected to be considered for such a high position, let alone at the dream company.

I blinked, rereading the message just to be sure. With a smirk, I clicked Accept, pushed back on the bed, covered my face with a pillow and screamed into it. 

“Yes!”

A few minutes later, I received another email asking me to report to work that day so I could learn everything. 

Without giving it much thought, I immediately went to take my bath. 

Minutes later, I stood before my mirror, smoothing the creases in my blazer with care. This wasn’t just any day—it was the beginning of my dream job at Apex Global. 

Excitement buzzed through me— a giddy thrill I hadn’t felt in weeks. After everything with Shawn, this was the fresh start I desperately needed. 

For the first time since I woke up yesterday, I could breathe without the weight of betrayal pressing down on my chest.

Blaze, however, had been nowhere to be seen all morning. Not a word, not even a passing mention of how my first night in his place was. 

Typical. 

Part of me felt a twinge of irritation—surely, he could muster up a polite “good morning” or something? Then again, why did I care? Blaze was a complication I didn’t need to think about today.

"Forget him," I muttered to myself, grabbing my bag. For a fleeting moment, I thought about leaving a note, but the thought seemed absurd. He hadn’t bothered to check in on me, so why should I?

***************

Stepping into Apex Global felt like walking into the pages of a high-end magazine. The gleaming glass foyer, polished floors, and minimalist design screamed sophistication and power. 

I couldn’t help but feel a little awestruck as my heels clicked against the pristine surface. This was it—my new beginning.

The receptionist greeted me with a bright smile as I approached her desk. “Welcome to Apex Global. How may I assist you?”

I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, my nerves tingling with excitement and a hint of apprehension. “Hi, I’m Kaia Gold. I received an email to report to the office today.”

Her smile widened as she gestured to a hallway. “You’ll want to check in with HR first. Down that corridor, second door on your right.”

“Thank you.” I followed her directions, the sound of my heels escorting me. Each step heightened my anticipation.

When I reached the HR office, I knocked lightly before stepping inside. The woman behind the desk glanced up, her expression polite but brisk. “Good morning,” I said with a small smile. “Kaia Gold. I got an email to report today.”

“Ah, one moment,” she replied, turning to her computer. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, her brows furrowing slightly as she scanned her screen.

Then her face brightened as she met my gaze. “Kaia Gold! Great, you’ve been hired for the Personal Assistant position.”

I blinked, my excitement screeching to a halt. “Uh… excuse me? Personal Assistant?”

“Yes,” she said matter-of-factly, clearly missing the shock on my face.

“No, no, I’m sorry,” I interjected, my voice tight with confusion. “There must be a mistake. I applied for the Head of Finance position, not as a Personal Assistant.”

Her brow lifted slightly, and she glanced back at her screen. “It says here Personal Assistant and oh Head of Finance.” She shrugged lightly. “But that shouldn’t be an issue. The CEO asked to meet with you personally before you settle into your office. Lucky timing—he’s free now. You can raise this concern with him directly.”

“The CEO? That’s… unusual, isn’t it?”

The woman’s smile tightened slightly, as though she’d heard this question too many times. “The CEO likes to be hands-on with new hires, especially for important roles like yours.” 

Before I could say more, she stood, motioning for me to follow her. “Come, I’ll take you to his office.”

I stared at her, my mind scrambling to process her words. Personal Assistant? How had my dream role turned into this?

The journey to the CEO’s office was a blur. I couldn’t decide whether I was more confused or irritated. Surely, this was some clerical error. There was no way I’d been hired as a P.A.

When we reached the imposing glass door, she turned to me with a tight smile. “Good luck.”

I nodded numbly, still trying to make sense of everything. First, some clerical error and then. I had a personal meeting with the CEO on my first day. 

No pressure. 

Taking a steady breath, I knocked lightly and pushed it open.

The office was as grand as the rest of the building, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city. My first thought was that it was an intimidating space for anyone. 

My second thought? 

That intimidation was cranked up tenfold when I saw who was sitting behind the desk.

Blaze Black.